Come and Taste The Best Durian in Durian Fair 2016 in Jakarta.

Durian Season in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia.

The beauty of living in a tropical country like Indonesia is a fast diversity of fruit availability in the market all year round. During dry season, the best available fruit is probably mangoes; but during wet season the best you can have a try is durian, which is well known as the king of fruits.

To mark the durian season in Indonesia, a festival on durian, called Durian Fair 2016 is taking place in Jakarta at Blok M Square, South Jakarta from February 27 to March 6, 2016. The festival presents at least 20 best durians from West Java and Central Java. The Fruits come all the way from as far as Mijen, Banyumas, Pandeglang, Rancamaya. 

Visitors will also have the opportunities of buying a wide range of processed food products made from durians. The products will be like cookies, ice cream with durian taste, as well as coffee with durian fragrance.So, why don't you hurry up come to Jakarta and indulge your taste for high quality of durians in Indonesia.

 Source:  Harian Kompas, Monday, February 28 2016.

Visit Jikomolamu Beach, Ternate.

Jikomolamu beach lies directly opposite to Hiri island.

Ternate is indeed an exotic island.As an island city, you will find a handful beaches to visit around the tiny island like Nukila Parks and Fala Java Beach, Sulamadaha Beach, Small Tolire Beach,  Fitu Beach, and Batu Angus Beach. Yet you will surprise to find a hidden beach called Jikomalamu. 

Located in a sheltered bay directly opposite the island Hiri, you will find a white sandy beach with white sand spans approximately only 100 meters. This is just the place to enjoy yourself . With clear water, so crystal clear to seem beautiful coral reefs towing. In this area, underwater bay is dominated by hard coral, of course, is a paradise for those who like snorkeling and diving.

Jikomalamo beach is named after the township in Hiri Island (an island right in front of the bay). The location is not too far from Sulamadaha beach and still be on the island of Ternate, but land access is limited to the bay Jikomalamo, the only to reach the bay is by hiring speedboats with rental costs approximately Rp. 250 thousand for the shuttle trip.

Visit Sulamadaha Beach, Ternate.

Sulamadaha beach with Hiri island at the background to the right.

Ternate is a city at the foot of Gamalama Mount also an island city, encircling by beaches. The most popular beach in Ternate is Sulamadaha beach, located in the northern part of Ternate island. Sulamadaha has many species of coastal and marine life which is very spectacular with unspoiled reef and crystal clear water. Hiri island, opposite to the island, is only a stone-throw away from this beach.

Approximately 14 miles from downtown Ternate, Sulamadaha Coast is easily accessible by public transport or private vehicles. The best spot to venture is about a stroll away for about ten minute to the left,you will a bay called Saomadaha bay with white sandy beach and marine park. You can perform water sport activities like swimming, snorkeling and diving.

Unique Tourist Destination in Ternate, North Maluku: Batu Angus.

 

Batu Angus, Ternate is one of the favorite tourist destination located about 10 km from the city center of Ternate, North Maluku province. Batu angus, meaning burnt stone, formed by lava flow from the eruption of Gamalama Mount in Ternate.

Come and Visit Kasa Island, West Seram, Maluku Province.

Kasa Island is one of the maritime tourist attractions located in the district of West Seram, Maluku Province. The island area is around 53 ha with ocean Nature Park of 1100 ha and the vast plains of around 900 Ha. This island lies between Ambon island and Seram island and about 55 km from Tulehu port in the district of Salahatu, Maluku Tengah Regency.

Kasa island besides having beautiful natural scenery, it also have marine resources which are so great with diverse coral reefs. Various shades of sea life with fish, corals diverse shapes and sizes can be found here.In addition, the island also has some potential of Kasa flora and fauna. Some of the potential flora Kasa is Anggrek Bulan Island Ambon, Sea Pine, Sea Waru, Bintanggor, Sea Pandan and Beringin Beach. While the potential of fauna is a bird habitat Camar, Shorebirds, and megapode (Maleo).

The island has white sand with a beautiful underwater scenery and natural very suitable for a break from the hustle and the bustle of modern life. For water sport enthusiasts, you can swim and dive accompanied by a fish while enjoying the coral reefs and other marine life.

This island can be accessed approximately one hour 30 minutes from the Capital City of Piru-West Seram using sea transport in the form of a speedboat. In addition, you can also reach through another route about two hours from Natsepa beach. Browse Pulau Kasa https://youtu.be/HIj18vbvbss to know more Kasa Island

Visit "Old City" of Jakarta : Toko Merah

Toko Merah, a legacy of the Dutch colonisation.

Toko Merah or "red store" is a legacy of the Dutch colonial building located on the west bank of Kali Besar, Jakarta Old Town. Built in 1730 and is one of the oldest buildings in Jakarta. The building was once the residence of Governor General van Imhoff (1705-1751).  

Toko Merah building located at Jl. Kali Besar No. 11, West Jakarta. From a business standpoint, Toko Merah precisely located on the west bank of Kali Besar (de Groote River), as the "central business district" her Batavia. At that time the Ciliwung River is the lifeblood of the busy water traffic up to the inland navigable. Kali Besar neighborhood itself is one of the elite residential area in the city of Old Batavia.

In its history, the function and ownership of the two-floored building changed over time. it was used as the campus and dormitory of Academie de Marine (Naval Academy), office, even Heerenlogement  or hotel for government officials. The name of "Toko Merah" was inscripted into the luxurious building when used as  a store owned by a chiness businessmen, Oey Liauw Kong since the middle of 19 centuries. 

Source: Kompas, Friday, January 8, 2016.

Visit Tambora Challenge 2016 in West Nusa Tenggara.

Kompas Tambora Challenge 2016 (@hariankompas)

After the success of last year, the event of Tambora Challenge 2016 will be held again this year. The event is part of Wonderful Tambora Festival taking place over five days, from 11 to 16 April 2016. Wonderful Tambora Festival will be centered in Doro Ncanga, the foot of Mount Tambora with a series of event featuring various arts and cultural performance of West Nusa Tenggara.

Tambora Challenge 2016 consists of several activities. In the run activities, there is an Ultra Run or Ultra Marathon divided into two categories, namely 320 kilometers and 100 kilometers. Running category of the 320-kilometer distance is the longest and heaviest event in Southeast Asia.

Last year, only eight participants enrolled in the Ultra Marathon and two runners reached the finish point. Alan Maulana, runner from Bandung, West Java, managed to finish the race Ultra Marathon Trans-Sumbawa in the first position. He arrived at finish line in Doro ncanga, Dompu, NTB, with a time of 62.8 hours. President Jokowi who arrived in the location pinned medals and prizes for Alan.

For 2016, the 320-kilometer category, the runners will take the same route ie from Pototano, the western end of the island of Sumbawa, and will end at Doro Ncanga. While those who take part in the category of 100 kilometers will start in Lombok. There is also a category Relay 100 and 50 K.

Tambora Bike Camp

After successful with a number of Bike Tour around islands in the country, Leading Newspaper, in 2016, Kompas will challenge bikers to join Tambora Bike Camp across Sumbawa Island with different concept namely self support. 

This bike camping concept requires bikers to bring along his necessities. there will be no supporting vehicles to transport all equipment including personal belongings 

Bikers will start from Taliwang, West Sumbawa, to Sumbawa Besar, Pulau Moyo, and finish in Doro Ncangan, the foot of Mount Tambora, Dompu. Participants will take a route full of beautiful view of beaches and stay over night in Desa Luk, Kecamatan Rhee, after cycling 80 kilometers from starting point in Taliwang.

Next day, after 30 kilometers bikers will across from Badas port to Moyo Island dan stay over night in this beautiful island. The third day, participants will go across to Calabai Port and directly to Doro Ncanga, around 30 kilometers in distance.

Source: www.tamborachallenge.com

Experience The Best Ever Solar Eclipse 2016 in Palembang, South Sumatera.

 City and Time of Total Solar Eclipse in Indonesia (@hariankompas)

The total solar eclipse will take place on March 9, 2016, and can be seen from 11 provinces in Indonesia including South Sumatra. It is not only an attraction for Indonesia itself, but also for foreign tourists to come and witness the total solar eclipse in Indonesia. 

The eclipse can be seen from the province of West Sumatra, Bengkulu, Jambi, South Sumatra, Bangka Belitung, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, West Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi and North Maluku.

The best location of viewing in South Sumatra is Palembang. The capital city of South Sumatera will be covered by sun eclipse for over 1 minute 51 second. The  eclipse will start at around 07:20:50 and end at 07:22:51 WIB (Western Indonesian Time); the maximum eclipse will be at 07:21:45.

The total solar eclipse in Palembang take five stages as follows :

1. Partial eclipse begins (first contact): The Moon's shadow starts becoming visible over the Sun's disc. In Palembang, the first contact will take place at 06:20:30 WIB;
2. Total eclipse begins (second contact at 07:20:50 WIB): Almost the entire disc of the Sun is covered by the Moon;
3. Maximum eclipse or totality: at approximately 07:21:45 the Moon will completely covers the disc of the Sun;
4. Total eclipse ends (third contact): The Moon's shadow starts moving away and the Sun reappears at 07:22:51 WIB;
5. Partial eclipse ends (fourth contact): The Moon stops overlapping the Sun's disc. The eclipse ends at 08:31:28 WIB. (www.timeanddate.com)

In 1988, the eclipse hit the peak at 07.29. The crowd, locals as well foreign tourists, gathered along the Ampera bridge to witness the nature but rare moment. as oppose to the crowd, astronomers chose Kenten Golf Course.

Ampera Bridge in the night, a viewing spot of sun eclipse in 1988.

So, it could be the best time for you to visit Palembang, including South Sumatra. Don't forget while you are there, special cuisine of Palembang Malay is waiting to enjoy. 

Source: taken from a number of sources